UMNO’s Deathbed Wish For Change

Rhetoric alone is not enough to tell the people that UMNO is ready for change and for restoring the image of the party that is in shambles.

There is so much of infighting going on before the UMNO assembly, the possible scenario could be the complete collapse of the party. The March tsunami was the best time the party could have made amends, but the party was embroiled in making sure Badawi goes. Of course the run up to this was that factions started growing and honestly no one had any inclination to think about change or image.

Then came Permatang Pau and Kuala Terengganu and UMNO had to swallow the bitter bill they were not as popular as a benevolent ruler.

The run up to the General Assembly is another curse. As usual members take sights and the many reports the people read about confirms the suspicion UMNO is going downstream and the battle to claim some sanity is lost. There is too much of corruption in the party and secondly the warlords who control the members are in no position to change. The UMNO disciplinary body was a laugh, the whole lot of people who were found involved in money politics should have been disciplined and not Ali Rustam alone.

This is clear indication the party is being let without proper direction, and the hope things will sort out well is just a dream – the people are wary of this party.

SEREMBAN, March 19 (Bernama) — Umno is ready for change and renewal aimed at restoring the party’s image and the members faith under the new leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. "The general assembly at the end of this month will prove that Umno is not divided and show to the people that it places importance on unity," he said at a meeting between candidates for the Umno Supreme Council and Negeri Sembilan party delegates chaired by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan here Thursday night. He said the new Umno leadership aspired to strengthen the party and was prepared to accept criticism from the people. Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein reminded members of the need to close ranks after the general assembly as the party would be facing three by-elections simultaneously. "We should not make it difficult for the new youth leader who has the responsibility of leading 700,000 members," he said. Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam also attended the function. When asked by reporters about his presence despite having been barred from contesting the Umno deputy president’s post, he said: "I am here to lend support to my friends." He said although disciplinary action was taken against him, there was no reason for him to sulk and avoid functions organised by the party. "I will still support Umno," he said. — BERNAMA